Niger Tornadoes have threatened to withdraw from the Nigeria Premier Soccer League (NPFL) following the league’s resolution to ban the Bako Kantagora Stadium in Minna from internet hosting top-flight matches.
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The ban, which was imposed by the NPFL board, has sparked sturdy reactions from officers of the Niger State Sports activities Fee, who described the choice as unfair and unjust.
Chairman of the fee, Danjuma Masu, accused the league authorities of focusing on the membership by way of what he alleged had been politically motivated actions.
Talking in Minna whereas addressing members of the Sports activities Writers Affiliation of Nigeria (SWAN), Masu criticised the directive compelling the membership to relocate its residence fixtures outdoors Niger State, insisting that the choice was pushed by private and egocentric pursuits.
“Not that the stadium is dangerous,” Masu stated. “The problem raised is about digicam angles, and that may be mounted inside one week. Enjoying politics with sports activities is unacceptable and ought to be discouraged.”
Masu maintained that the Bako Kantagora Stadium compares favourably with many different venues presently accepted to host NPFL matches, claiming it’s higher than not less than ten stadiums in use throughout the nation.
He known as on the league physique to right away reverse the ban, warning that the membership could also be pressured to drag out of the competitors if the choice is just not overturned.
“The rescheduling of Tornadoes’ matches to different states is politically motivated, private and pushed by egocentric pursuits,” he stated, including that the state might withdraw the membership from the continued NPFL season if the state of affairs doesn’t enhance.
The Nigeria Premier Soccer League had earlier introduced the ban, declaring the Bako Kantagora Stadium unfit below the brand new broadcast and tv rights framework, which calls for greater technical and infrastructural requirements.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026, and signed by the league’s Chief Working Officer, Davidson Owumi, Niger Tornadoes had been knowledgeable that the stadium not meets the necessities to host league fixtures below the brand new broadcast settlement.
Consequently, the membership was directed to relocate its remaining residence matches for the season and select an alternate venue between the Rasheed Yekini Predominant Bowl in Ilorin and the Jos Zaria Highway Stadium.
The NPFL additionally warned that failure to speak a selection inside the stipulated timeframe would end in a venue being assigned to the membership.
Regardless of the directive, Niger Tornadoes had been allowed to host their Matchday 24 fixture — a 2–2 draw towards Bendel Insurance coverage — on the Kantagora Stadium because of the brief discover of the choice.
The relocation order is predicted to take impact from subsequent residence matches.
The membership is now anticipated to play its residence video games on the newly renovated Lafia Metropolis Stadium in Nasarawa State till the Bako Kantagora Stadium meets the situations set by the NPFL board.
After their away fixture towards Ikorodu Metropolis in Lagos, Niger Tornadoes are scheduled to host Rivers United, Warri Wolves and Kano Pillars outdoors Minna.
